Giving Thanks: An Appreciative, Grateful Playlist

Thanksgiving is a holiday whose purpose is telegraphed in its title: not only to be with family and to eat but also to give thanks. Expressing gratitude is also a persistent theme throughout pop music. Here are eight of the best examples:

Sly and the Family Stone, “Thank You Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin” (1970)

A timeless anthem of self-determination, regret, and bass. This version is a live performance from Soul Train.

Big Star, “Thank You Friends” (1978)

The power-pop kings of Memphis included this on their moody third album, “Third/Sister Lovers,” which was recorded in 1974 but not released until four years later. The song seems like a straightforward expression of thanks to the band’s fans, though it sounds like something much stranger.

Bonnie Raitt, “Thank You” (1971)

Many songs of thanks are directed at romantic partners, including this standout from Raitt’s debut. This version was recorded live the following year for a Philadelphia radio station, and includes a snippet of Stephen Stills’s “Bluebird” tacked on to the end.

Johnny Cash, “Thanks a Lot” (1959)

Most songs of thanks aren’t sarcastic. This one is.

Beastie Boys, “Gratitude” (1992)

After the sample-heavy “Paul’s Boutique,” the Beastie Boys took up their instruments again for “Check Your Head.” You’ll be thankful they did.

William DeVaughn, “Be Thankful for What You Got” (1974)

One of the best Curtis Mayfield imitations in soul history, DeVaughn’s anti-materialist ode is remembered mainly for its refrain: “Diamond in the back, sunroof top / Diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean.”

Bob Marley and the Wailers, “Give Thanks and Praises” (1983)

The “Confrontation” album was released posthumously, two years after Marley’s death; it produced the hit “Buffalo Soldier” and several lesser-known songs, including this one.

Patti Smith, “Grateful” (2000)

As spiritual as the Marley song, if more abstract, this ballad examines the boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds. This is a live performance from the New York Public Library.

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